EPDS Agency Point of Contact (POC)/Representative … Agree to a Protective Order Admission ......

Electronic Protest Docketing System (EPDS) Agency Point of Contact (POC)/Representative User Manual APRIL 2018

GAO EPDS Agency POC/Agency Representative User Manual

Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 1

2.0 Getting Started............................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Registering for an Account ........................................................................................... 5

2.1.1 Register as an Agency POC ..................................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Register as an Agency Representative .................................................................... 5

2.2 Initial Log In .................................................................................................................. 8 2.3 On-going Log In ........................................................................................................... 10

3.0 Application Introduction ........................................................................................... 11

4.0 Dashboard/Active Cases ............................................................................................ 14

4.1 Modify Dashboard ...................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Join a Case .................................................................................................................. 15

5.0 Case Information ....................................................................................................... 19

5.1 View an Active Case/Case Docket Sheet .................................................................... 19 5.2 Case Docket Sheet Overview ...................................................................................... 19 5.3 Alerts ........................................................................................................................... 21 5.4 Opening Attachments ................................................................................................. 21

6.0 Case Docket Sheet Actions ........................................................................................ 22

6.1 Open Case Actions ...................................................................................................... 22 6.2 Closed Case Actions .................................................................................................... 23 6.3 Completed Case Actions ............................................................................................. 23 6.4 Submit New Documents ............................................................................................. 24 6.5 Manage Agency Attorneys/Parties ............................................................................. 27

6.5.1 Add an Agency Representative ............................................................................. 28 6.5.2 Adding an Agency POC as a Representative for a Case ........................................ 29 6.5.3 Delete a Representative ........................................................................................ 30

6.6 Email Preferences ....................................................................................................... 32

7.0 Protected Material .................................................................................................... 35

7.1 Protecting a New Case ................................................................................................ 35 7.2 Filing a Final Redacted Version ................................................................................... 36 7.3 Filing a Proposed Redaction to a GAO Decision ......................................................... 40 7.4 Protective Order ......................................................................................................... 43

7.4.1 Agree to a Protective Order Admission ................................................................. 43 7.4.2 Objection to a Protective Order Application ......................................................... 46

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8.0 Closed Case Actions ................................................................................................... 49

8.1 File a Request for Reconsideration ............................................................................. 49

9.0 Manage User Profile .................................................................................................. 53

10.0 Manage Password ..................................................................................................... 55

11.0 Change Security Questions ........................................................................................ 60

12.0 System Unavailability ................................................................................................ 62

List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................. 63


U.S. Government Accountability Office 1

1.0 Introduction

For more than 80 years, GAO has provided an objective, independent, and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes concerning the awards of federal contracts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 20141, directed GAO to develop an electronic protest docketing system and authorized GAO to collect and use fees to offset the costs of the system.

GAO’s Electronic Protest Docketing System (EPDS) is an automated case management system that allows parties to a case to file documents over the Internet and provides GAO with the ability to make electronic documents available to the parties over the Internet. Use of EPDS is mandatory, except as set forth in the EPDS instructions available at http://www.gao.gov/legal/ bid-protests/our-process. For example, classified material must never be filed through EPDS.

A goal of EPDS is to be easy to use; a filer creates a document using conventional word processing software and converts it to a Portable Document Format (PDF). After logging into EPDS, the filer enters basic information relating to the document, attaches the PDF file and submits it to GAO. A notice verifying receipt of the filing is automatically generated and emailed to the other case participants.

This guide is intended for procuring agency Point of Contacts (POCs) and representatives, including representatives of other parties permitted by GAO to participate in a case pursuant to 4 C.F.R. § 21.3(j). For all other users, please refer to the applicable user guide(s) available at http://www.gao.gov/legal/bid-protests/our-process.

1.1 Scope

The scope of this manual is to provide instructions on utilizing the GAO EPDS. This manual does not provide information on the protest process. For information on the protest process, please visit the GAO website. If you need assistance in utilizing the EPDS, please contact GAO at 202-512-5436 or [email protected].

1 Pub. L. No. 113-76, div. I, title I, § 1501, 128 Stat. 5, 433-34 (Jan. 17, 2014).

http://www.gao.gov/legal/bid-protests/our-process



http://www.gao.gov/legal/



2.0 Getting Started

The GAO EPDS site is at: https://epds.gao.gov.

By utilizing the site, users agree to following:

• You are accessing a U.S. Government information system, which includes (1) this computer, (2) this computer network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. This information system is provided for U.S. Government-authorized use only.

• Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in disciplinary action, as well as civil and criminal penalties.

• Subject to the provisions in 4 C.F.R. §§ 21.1(g) and 21.4 and 4 C.F.R. part 81, which include procedures for protecting proprietary, confidential, and other procurement sensitive information, by using this information system, you understand and consent to the following:

o You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communications or data transiting or stored on this information system. At any time, the government may for any lawful government purpose monitor, intercept, search and seize any communication or data transiting or stored on this information system. Accordingly, pursuant to GAO’s Electronic Protest Docketing System Instructions, the following personal identifiers should be excluded, or redacted when inclusion is necessary, from all filings, unless otherwise directed by GAO:

1. Social Security Numbers. If an individual’s Social Security number must be included in a filing, only the last four digits of the numbers should be used.

2. Dates of Birth. If an individual’s date of birth must be included in a filing, only the year should be used.

3. Financial Account Numbers. If a financial account number is relevant to a filing, only the last four digits of the number should be used.

o Any communications or data transiting or stored on this information system may be disclosed or used for any lawful government purpose.

o Your consent is final and irrevocable. You may not rely on any statements or informal policies purporting to provide you with any expectation of privacy regarding communications on this system, whether oral or written, by your Web Browser.

https://epds.gao.gov/



For the best experience, use Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Edge as the web browser. Please note that there are known issues that could affect your experience if using Internet Explorer (IE). For example, you may find that you are unable to enter text in response to system prompts or in certain data fields. Refreshing the web page and then attempting to enter the text may resolve the issue.

If you must use IE, follow these instructions to help mitigate performance issues.

1. In IE, click the Tools icon in the upper right corner.

2. Click Compatibility View settings.



3. Ensure the box for Display intranet sites in Compatibility View is unchecked.

4. Click Close.



2.1 Registering for an Account

There are two types of agency accounts in EPDS: Agency Point of Contact (POC) and Agency Representative.

2.1.1 Register as an Agency POC

Agency POC accounts are appropriate for agency personnel that (1) are the designated agency points of contact for receiving the notice of new protests and other case types, and (2) assign agency representatives to new protest and other case types. Agency POC accounts are created by GAO. To request an agency POC account, please contact GAO at 202-512-5436 or [email protected].

2.1.2 Register as an Agency Representative

For all other individuals representing an agency, you must register as an agency representative. Follow these instructions to register as a representative.

1. On the login page, click the Register as a new User button.

2. In the Please Select Account Type popup, click the drop-down arrow and select Agency Representative. Click OK.



3. Click OK on the Warning pop-up.

4. In the Register as an Agency Representative, complete all fields.

5. Click the checkbox next to I have reviewed and agree to abide by GAO's Bid Protest Regulations and EPDS Instructions, which are available here.



6. Click Register.

7. Read the Rules of Behavior, and then click I Agree to complete the registration process.


8

8. If your registration is successful, a Success pop-up window will appear. Click OK.

If there are issues with your registration, check the fields for error messages.

9. The system will send you an email with a temporary password. When you log on to the system the first time, the system will require you to change your password.

2.2 Initial Log In

To log in to the system:

1. You will be issued a temporary password when your EPDS account is initially created. To log in to the system for the first time, use the email entered at registration and the temporary password provided by EPDS. Click Sign me in.

2. Upon your initial log in, the system will prompt you to: 1) update your password, and 2) choose and answer several security questions. Click OK to proceed.

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3. Update your password by entering a New Password and confirming it.

Passwords must be between 12 and 24 characters in length, and contain one character from each of the following four categories:

• English uppercase characters (A to Z) • English lowercase characters (a to z) • Base 10 digits (0 to 9) • Special characters (For example, #, $, and ^)

4. The Security Question section will be used for password reset, should you forget your password. Select and answer three distinct security questions from the dropdown selections. Click Update Info.



5. Click OK in the success message pop up to finish.

6. If your session remains inactive for 20 minutes, the system will require you to log back in again. You can only be logged in to one session at a time.

2.3 On-going Log In

After completing the initial log in steps, the process for subsequent logins follow the steps 2 through 4 in section 2.3, as depicted below.

1. Enter your EPDS account email and password. Click Sign me in.

2. If your session remains inactive for 20 minutes, the system will require you to log back in again. You can only be logged in to one session at a time.



3.0 Application Introduction

This section provides a high-level description of the EPDS features. Some features vary according to whether you are signed in as a POC or an agency representative. These differences will be highlighted with separate instructions and screenshots where indicated.

1. Click the menu icon to show or hide the site navigation.

Agency Representative Dashboard

POC Dashboard



2. In the site navigation, click Active Cases to view your current protest cases and return to

your Dashboard. See section 4.0 Dashboard/Active Cases for more information. Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard

3. Agency Representatives can click Join a Case in the site navigation, to submit a request to join cases. POC’s do not have this menu option. See section 4.2 Join a Case for more information. Agency Representative Dashboard

4. Click the Help menu (upper right corner) to access User Guides, FAQs, Contact Us and

Feedback information.



5. Click your name to access the Manage User Profile or Logout options. See section 6.0 for information on modifying your profile.

6. Under the Help and User Name is the breadcrumb navigation. This navigation makes it easier to understand where you are on the site.

For instance, this breadcrumb navigation shows that the user is on the dashboard of the site, which shows the user’s active cases.



4.0 Dashboard/Active Cases

The default view is the dashboard, which shows your active cases. If you are an agency POC, you can view all your agency’s cases. However, if you are an agency representative, you can only view your assigned cases from your own agency.

4.1 Modify Dashboard

There are several ways to modify the dashboard.

1. Show More Entries: click the drop-down entries to change the view to display 25 (default), 50, 100, or 150 entries (cases).

2. Filter Entries: type in a filter parameter in the Filter Records field. The records will filter as you type. You can filter by any protest variable (B-Number, agency, due date, etc.). The filter will search all fields for any filter parameter.



3. Modify Columns: click the Show/hide columns button to select which columns to show.

4. Sort Columns: click the column headings to sort entries ascending or descending in that column.

4.2 Join a Case

Agency Representatives can submit a request to join a case. POCs do not have this menu option; rather, as set forth in section 6.5.2, a POC can add itself to a case through the Parties Tab for a particular case.

1. In the dashboard, click Join a Case. Agency Representative Dashboard



2. Enter the B-Number. Click Search.

If you do not know the B-Number, you may hit search and the system will retrieve the complete list of open cases for your agency.

3. Review the case information to verify this is the correct case. To request to join click Yes. To enter a different case number, click Return to Search or enter the B Number in the Search text box on this page.

4. Click Add File under Upload Primary Document.

A pop-up window will appear. Locate the appropriate file on your computer, select it (only PDF, Word, Excel and Zip files can be attached), and click Open.



5. Click Submit to send the request.

6. You will be taken back to the dashboard screen, and the case you have requested to join has been added. The request to join will be reviewed by GAO staff, and a decision of either ‘Acknowledged’ or ‘Not Acknowledged’ will be made. You will receive an email notifying you of the GAO’s decision (step #8 below). The case’s docket will not be accessible to you, until the Notice of Appearance is ‘Acknowledged’ (step #7 below).

7. If you click on the case B-Number or the EPDS Cntrl # before the GAO has decided on your request to join, the following message will appear.



8. If you click on the case B-Number or the EPDS Cntrl # and your request has been granted by GAO, the case docket information will display. The Notice of Appearance and Notice of Appearance Acknowledged will both display in the list of case filings.

9. If you click on the case B-Number or the EPDS Control # and your request has been denied by GAO, the following message will display. Click the attached document to review the reason why the GAO has denied the request.



5.0 Case Information

5.1 View an Active Case/Case Docket Sheet

To see an active case by viewing the Case Docket Sheet, click on the B-Number link or the EPDS Cntrl # link.

5.2 Case Docket Sheet Overview

The top part of the Case Docket Sheet provides the case information. This information cannot be edited except by the GAO attorney. Please see the following clarification on select items in the case information section.



1. B-Number: This field shows the number(s) that GAO assigns to your case. All filings in a case should reference the assigned B-Number(s).

2. Intervenor(s): This field shows any intervenors permitted by GAO to participate in the case pursuant to 4 C.F.R. §§ 21.0(b) or 21.3(j).

3. Consolidated Protests: If GAO has consolidated the case with another pending case(s), this field shows the title and B-Number(s) of the other case. After cases are consolidated, a filing made in one case will automatically be filed in the joined case(s). Although a user can see and access the documents in all joined cases (subject to the terms of any applicable protective order(s)), any filings must be made in the filer’s own case. For example, GAO has consolidated the protests of Protester A and Protester B. Protester A can, subject to the terms of any applicable protective order(s), access and view the docket for Protester B’s case. However, in order to file anything in the consolidated cases, Protester A must file the document in Protester A’s case only.

4. GAO Attorney Name: This field shows the GAO-assigned attorney for the case.

5. Days Remaining: For cases subject to 4 C.F.R. § 21.9, this field shows the number of days remaining for GAO to issue a final decision. For all other cases, this field is inapplicable.

6. Case Status: Case status will be Open or Closed. If a case has been closed for more than 60 days, filers will no longer have access to open or download files from the docket.

7. Protective Order Issued?: This field shows whether or not GAO has issued a protective order for the case pursuant to 4 C.F.R. § 21.4.

The bottom part of the Case Docket Sheet shows the records attached to this protest. Records can include documents or docket entries created by GAO. This section can be sorted by the Index, Filter, and Protected columns. Additionally, you can filter or search the records by using the Filter Records field.



5.3 Alerts

Any new records on the Case Docket Sheet are identified with an alert icon that will display in the Alerts column (see the image below). The Alert icon will remain visible until the new record is opened.

5.4 Opening Attachments

Records that contain attachments can be opened by clicking the link in the Type of Filing column; the attachments can be viewed and downloaded. If a protective order has been issued for a case, parties not admitted to the protective order will not be able to access documents containing protected material. Please refer to section 6.0 Protected Material for more information.



6.0 Case Docket Sheet Actions

While viewing the Case Docket Sheet page, the menu options on the left side of the page change depending on the case status: Open, Closed or Completed.

6.1 Open Case Actions

If the Case is Open, the following four actions can be performed:

1. Return to the dashboard to view Active Cases.

2. Submit New Documents to the Case that is being viewed.

3. Manage and add agency representatives in the Manage Agency Attorneys/Parties screen.

4. Set your Email Preferences.



6.2 Closed Case Actions

If the Case is Closed (a public decision has been issued, and the 60 day interim period prior to case completion has begun), the following actions can be performed, according to your role:

Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard


2. Submit New Documents to the Case that is being viewed (Agency Representative only).

3. Manage and add agency representatives in the Manage Agency Attorneys/Parties screen.

4. Set your Email Preferences.

5. File a Request for Reconsideration for this case.

6.3 Completed Case Actions

If the Case is Completed (a case which is over 60 days past the issuance of a public decision, and has been Completed by a GAO staff), two actions can be performed:


2. File a Request for Reconsideration for this case.



6.4 Submit New Documents

New documents submitted will be automatically attached to the currently viewed case and a new record will be entered for that case. Follow the instructions below to submit new documents.

1. In the site menu, click Submit New Documents.

2. Complete the items on the Submit New Documents screen. Additional instructions forcompleting individual fields follow.



3. Select the Type of document from the dropdown menu. The available options will vary depending on the type of case and the case status (open, closed, complete). The following example displays the Type of document menu choices for a ‘Protest’ case with an ‘Open’ status.

4. If you select a document type with an underscore (i.e., a blank), a pop-up window will ask you to fill in the blank. Type in a brief description of the document, and click OK.




A pop-up window will appear. Locate the appropriate file on your computer, select it (only PDF, Word, Zip and Excel files can be attached), and click Open.

6. Once a document is added, you can add additional documents by clicking Yes for the question, Do you want to Upload Associated Documents?

7. If appropriate, click Yes for the question, Do any of these documents contain information that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public?



8. Add comments to the Comments field if needed. Click Submit.

6.5 Manage Agency Attorneys/Parties

The Parties screen shows all the different parties associated with the case. Each party is allowed to have up to four representatives who can access or file documents in EPDS. Follow the instructions below to add or delete an agency representative.



6.5.1 Add an Agency Representative

1. In the Parties screen, click + Add Agency Representative.

2. In the pop-up box, enter the email for the agency representative you would like toassign to the case and click Assign Agency Rep.

3. In the next pop-up box, verify the contact information, and click Confirm.

To assign a representative to a case, the individual must have an EPDS user account. When the individual logs onto the system, the case will appear in their active cases dashboards.



4. If the individual does not have an EPDS user account, a pop-up menu will appear and notify you that no such user account exists. Once the individual creates a user account, you can invite them to join the case by following steps 1 and 2 above.

5. The representative’s information will appear on the Parties page in the Agency Representative box.

6.5.2 Adding an Agency POC as a Representative for a Case

An Agency POC can add itself as a representative for any of its agency’s cases using the following process.

1. In the Parties screen, click + Add Agency Representative next to your agency’s name. In the example below, the case already has one Agency Representative.



2. Enter your EPDS account email in the pop up window and click Assign Agency Rep.

3. On the confirmation pop up click Confirm.

4. Your contact information is now visible in the Agency Representative area of the Partiesscreen. You can delete yourself from the case, if needed, using the Delete button inyour contact area (only an agency POC can delete a representative).

6.5.3 Delete a Representative

Only an agency POC can delete an agency representative.

1. Click Delete in the Agency Representative box.



2. Click Yes in the confirmation window that appears, or No to stop action.

3. A success message will appear. Click OK.

4. The Agency Representative is no longer displayed.



6.6 Email Preferences

All service of filings and notices of case developments will occur by postings to the case docket sheet. When a filing or other case development occurs in EPDS, the default setting is that the system will send all parties an email notification.

Users are strongly encouraged to keep email notifications activated for each case. Users bear sole responsibility for learning of any new filings or case developments.

Deactivate Email Notifications

1. On the left side navigation, click Email Preferences. Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard



2. Click Yes on the Email Preferences pop-up box.

3. Click Ok on the Warning pop-up.

4. Click OK on the Success pop-up.

Activate Email Notifications

1. On the left side navigation, click Email Preferences. Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard



2. Click Yes on the Email Preferences pop-up box.

3. Click OK on the Success pop-up.



7.0 Protected Material

Often protests and associated filings and materials contain a company’s proprietary or confidential data or the agency’s source-selection-sensitive information that cannot be released publicly, which this guide will collectively refer to as ‘protected material’. The following provides an overview of the EPDS features for properly marking and protecting protected material, as well as how to prepare redacted versions that are publically releasable.

7.1 Protecting a New Case

In addition to conspicuously marking the document being filed, when filing a new protest (or other case type) and any subsequent filings in a case, EPDS will prompt the filer to answer the question as noted below:

The filer will select Yes if the filing includes any information that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public. When a filer marks a document as containing information that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public, only the party that made the filing, GAO, and authorized representatives of the agency will be able to access the filing.

1. As shown in the example below, authorized users can access a protected filing by clicking the title in the Type of Filing column. The title is an active hyperlink that opens the protected document.



2. A user without access (such as an Intervenor), can see that a protected filing has beenposted to the Docket. However, the user can not open the filing because the title isnot an active hyperlink for them.

WARNING Because the docket is always viewable by any party to a case, all parties should refrain from submitting any protected material on the docket, such as in the Comments section of the Submit New Documents feature. Any Comments containing protected material should be set forth in a document that is uploaded to EPDS and appropriately marked with a protected status designation.

As discussed below, if GAO determines that it is appropriate to issue a protective order, counsel who are admitted to the protective order will be able to access documents marked as containing information that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public on the docket.

7.2 Filing a Final Redacted Version

GAO’s Bid Protest Regulations require that a party submit redacted (or publically releasable) versions of any filings that were marked as containing protected material. For new protest and new request for reconsideration cases, the Submit New Documents link from the case docket sheet will includes several document types that address redaction: Final Redacted Version of _____ and Proposed redactions to GAO decision.



When all parties agree to a final redacted version of a filing, follow the instructions below to file the redacted document.

NOTE Parties should exchange proposed redacted versions of filings and correspond in good faith to prepare final agreed-to redacted versions of filings outside of EPDS. Only the final redacted version agreed to by all parties should be filed in EPDS.

1. Select the appropriate protest from the dashboard.



2. Click Submit New Documents on the left side menu.

3. This example depicts the selection of Final Redacted Version of ____ as the Type of document.

4. Complete the description of the document, in the popup box that appears and click OK to continue.





6. Once a document is added, you can add additional documents by clicking Yes for the question, Do you want to Upload Associated Documents?




8. A Warning will appear verifying that you want to proceed with posting a filing that isaccessible by all parties. Click Yes to continue.

9. The Final Redacted Version document is marked as not containing information that isproprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public and will be accessibleby all authorized users with access to the case.

7.3 Filing a Proposed Redaction to a GAO Decision

If GAO issues a protected decision, parties with authorized access to the protected decision can submit proposed redactions.

1. Select the appropriate protest from the dashboard.



2. Click Submit New Documents.

3. Select Proposed Redactions to GAO Decision from the Type of document dropdownmenu.





5. Once a document is added, you can add additional documents by clicking Yes for the question Do you want to Upload Associated Documents?


7. All Proposed Redactions are automatically marked by the system as having proprietary information. Only appropriate parties will be able to view these documents.

8. GAO will evaluate the proposed redactions. GAO will either correspond further with the parties regarding their proposed redactions or will proceed to issue a Public Decision that will be accessible on the docket and available to all authorized users with access to the case.



7.4 Protective Order

GAO may, in appropriate cases, issue a protective order that will allow authorized counsel access to all materials in a case that are marked as containing protected material. For additional information regarding GAO’s protective order process, please review GAO’s Bid Protests at GAO: A Descriptive Guide, and Guide to GAO Protective Orders.

1. The default setting in EPDS is that a case will not have a protective order. As shown onthe docket, the case below does not have a protective order.

2. When GAO issues an acknowledgement package with a protective order or a notice ofprotective order, the protective order will be available for download on the docket.Also, the protective order issued field on the docket will change to Y.

7.4.1 Agree to a Protective Order Admission

Once a party’s representative(s) submits his or her protective order application(s), the other parties will receive an email that an application has been submitted and they should indicate on the case docket sheet whether they have any objections. If the party has no objections, they should submit a document according to the following instructions.

http://gao.gov/legal/bid-protest-reference-materials/about



1. While on the Docket, click Submit New Documents on the left side menu.

2. On the Submit New Document screen, click the drop-down arrow for Type of documentand select No Objection to __.

3. In the pop-up window, type protective order application, and click OK.




5. The party’s non-objection will appear on the docket.



7.4.2 Objection to a Protective Order Application

If a party has an objection to a pending application for admission to the protective order, they should submit a document according to the following instructions.

1. While on the Docket, click Submit New Documents on the left side menu.

2. On the Submit New Document screen, click the drop-down arrow for Type of documentand select Objection to ____.



3. In the pop-up window, type protective order application, and click OK.

4. Under Upload Primary Document, click Add File.

A pop-up menu will appear. Locate the appropriate file on your computer, select it (only PDF and Excel files can be attached), and click Open.

5. Once a document is added, you can add additional documents by clicking Yes for thequestion, Do you want to Upload Associated Documents?

6. If appropriate, click Yes for the question Do any of these documents containinformation that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to thepublic?




8. The party’s objection will appear on the docket.



8.0 Closed Case Actions

After a case is closed, the left navigation options in the Case Docket Sheet change to include Request for Reconsideration.

Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard

8.1 File a Request for Reconsideration

When GAO issues a decision on a case, parties who have not disabled notifications will be notified by email of the decision. Additionally, a case status of Closed is displayed in the Case Status column of the dashboard and the upper right corner of the case docket sheet.



1. To file a request, click Request for Reconsideration.Agency Representative Dashboard POC Dashboard

2. Click Add File under Upload Request for Reconsideration Document.


3. Once a document is added, you can add additional documents by clicking Yes for thequestion, Do you want to Upload Associated Documents?



4. If appropriate, click Yes for the question, Do any of these documents containinformation that is proprietary, confidential, or otherwise not releasable to the public?


6. The new request for reconsideration will appear in the Dashboard.



7. The system will automatically generate an email notifying the procuring agency that anew request for reconsideration has been filed. The filer will be copied on the email tothe agency.

8. Once GAO assigns an attorney to the request for reconsideration, GAO will prepare acase acknowledgement package that includes, among other information, the B-Numberassigned to the case. The acknowledgement package will be available on the casedocket sheet, and users who have not turned off email notifications for the case willreceive an email notification that GAO has posted the acknowledgement package.



9.0 Manage User Profile

Follow these instructions to edit your user Profile. You can edit most of your user information, with the exception of your email address.

1. Click your name displayed in the upper right corner of the window.

2. Click Manager User Profile.

3. The Profile page will display. Scroll to the bottom of your profile, and click Edit.



4. Update your information. Scroll to the bottom of your profile, and click Update.

5. Click OK on the Success pop-up window.



10.0 Manage Password

10.1 Change Password

Follow these instructions to perform the following actions that can be accessed from your Profile page: edit your Profile, Change Password, and Change Security Questions. You can edit most of your user information, with the exception of your email address.

1. Click your name in the upper right corner of the window.


3. Click Change Password on the left side navigation.



4. Enter your current password, then your new password. Passwords must be between 12 and 24 characters in length, and contain one character from each of the following four categories: • English uppercase characters (A to Z) • English lowercase characters (a to z) • Base 10 digits (0 to 9)Special characters (For example, #, $, and ^)

5. Confirm your password in the next field, and click Update Info.




10.2 Reset Password If you forget your password, you can reset your password using the following instructions:

1. On the EPDS login page, select the I forgot my password link.

2. In the pop up, enter the email address associated with your EPDS account, and click OK.




4. You will receive an email with a temporary password and instructions for resetting your password. Copy the temporary password, and click the link in the email to update your password.

5. Follow the login steps as in section 2.3. Log In using your temporary password, which you copied in step 3 above.

6. Click OK on the Account Reset pop-up window.



7. Enter your new password. Passwords must be between 12 and 24 characters in length, and contain one character from each of the following four categories: a. English uppercase characters (A to Z) b. English lowercase characters (a to z) c. Base 10 digits (0 to 9) d. Special characters (For example, #, $, and ^)

8. Confirm your new password in the next field, and click Update Info.

9. Click OK on the Welcome to EDPS success pop-up window.



11.0 Change Security Questions

1. Click your name displayed in the upper right corner of the window.


3. Click Change Security Questions on the left side navigation.



4. Select and complete three distinct security questions. If you only want to change one or two items, you can re-enter some of the questions you used previously. Click Update Info to finish.



12.0 System Unavailability

GAO will endeavor to maintain the availability of EPDS during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays or when GAO’s Headquarters are otherwise closed. In the event that a filer is unable to file a document in EPDS due to a technical failure of EPDS during normal business hours, please refer to the EPDS instructions available at http://www.gao.gov/legal/bid-protests/our-process. If a filer is unable to file a document in EPDS during a period other than normal business hours, the filer should attempt to file its document during the next period of normal business hours.




List of Acronyms

Definition Acronym

EPDS Electronic Protest Docketing System

GAO U.S. Government Accountability Office

POC Point of Contact

EPDS Agency Point of Contact (POC)/Representative … Agree to a Protective Order Admission ......

Documents

Transcript of EPDS Agency Point of Contact (POC)/Representative … Agree to a Protective Order Admission ......